Open Source Credit Repair Software

[mrliberty]

While I've been waiting for my SOL expiration dates (this year), I've been helping friends and family in their personal credit repair journeys. I'll have helped maybe 2 dozen people by this Spring, most jumping over 100 points on their FICOs.

 

Since I started, I kept track of EVERYTHING (SOLs per State, what letters to write and when). In March of 2007, instead of tossing it all into an Excel spreadsheet, I actually wrote a simple Visual Basic (VBA) application to help figure out what to do at each step. Now that I look it over, I think something like this for CB members might not be a bad idea, maybe even something for CB to consider looking into.

 

The software I have is VERY simple, but can be expanded quite easily. My software right now just asks me to enter every line on a CR, what kind of account it is (Credit Card, Auto Loan, etc), what State the credit was originated in (and it queries my database for the SOLs based on account type), and the DOFD (based on the paper CRAs requested). Then it spits out the steps to take.

 

For the letters, I actually put the letters into a database, but line by line. This means that I can auto-generate completely different text for letters by typing in different ways to say the same line. If two lines were "I don't know what this debt is. I never had a credit card with this CA." it might randomly spit out "This debt is not mine. I have never opened any account with CA for credit cards." etc, etc. It works well as over the last 9 months I've probably typed in 20 variations of each line, so each letter truly is random (and then hand-written by the person I am helping).

 

For some debts, the software says "This is still within SOL and with the OC, so do nothing." For other debts, it will recommend letters that even I forget about, based on previous additions I've made.

 

It's not very complicated, but it doesn't have to be. Most of our letters are boilerplate, but by changing a few words or the order of words, the letters come across the same even though they're different. I only have 5 States in my database, but I'm sure adding all 50 (or is it 52 because of DC and PR?) would be simple. I also know I am missing a great many letters (repos, foreclosures, judgments, etc).

 

The idea would be to have it be open-sourced, so others can contribute the necessary steps. Imagine a GIGANTIC flowchart in what to do, but in simple step-by-step form. The only reason I created my own app was because I was using TurboTax in Feb 2007 to do my taxes, and I said to myself "boy I wish I had credit repair software that made these recommendations." Light bulb!

 

Is this something that is of interest to people?

 

My biggest concern is the software falling into the wrong hands, which software can do very easily. I also don't doubt that some creditors float on these boards anyway, so they already know all the standard procedures, and why should they care since 99% of the public is clueless about the laws and loopholes.

[dnm45227]

sounds very cool. if i were you i would be weary that someone would start selling it or someone come after you for making thier credit worst (ya, i know but this is america and you can be sued for anytthing).

[TP100]

I'd be willing to turn it into a web app so people could access it online rather than downloading a VB app... PM me.

[colochris]

sounds great let me know what happens if your giving it out or not

[Mike2020]

Yes sounds good.

[mrliberty]

TP: Well, I am well versed in PHP and MySQL (actually work on a few popular open source apps already), so I think a web-app would be a good idea, but the problem is having it leak to the world. I'm thinking something simple is best, but who knows? Web apps require websites, and the reason for open source is so there is no liability -- people download it and run it at their own risk. I'm not looking to make money on it, just looking to develop it and free it to those who can use it wisely.

 

No software is perfect for everyone and every situation, but MOST credit repair is a simple step by step process. By inputing ALL your credit reports into software, you can at least get a starting point. Also, if something comes up that is new (new letter from a new CA, for example), the software could have an option:

 

1. "I received a new letter."

2. "Is it from the Original Creditor (1) or a Collection Agency (2)?"

3. Check SOL, send DV, etc, etc.

 

Fairly simple to do, especially once the software knows the SOL for the State. The rest is relatively a piece of cake and a lot of waiting. Most people don't even know the first step to take, so they do nothing but revisit CB every 6 months and go back to doing nothing!

 

Considering how many variations there are, software makes more sense than getting the same 100 questions a day. Also, if the software pitches an idea that fails, those who are testing it can tell people it didn't work, and the OSS community can make changes easily.

 

It's an idea, definitely.

 

As to releasing my VBA code, I don't want to do it now because I have too much of my personal information in the system and don't want to track it all down. I don't even let others I am helping use the software, just in case. Who knows what I might have put in my code over all this time? I am willing to release all my letters (and the modified lines), though. If one standard boilerplate letter is say 30 lines long, I may have between 5 and 20 variations of each line. That's upwards of, what, 600 differently worded letters that can be generated on the fly? I'm sure that alone would be helpful.

 

Maybe CB isn't the place to develop software, but I think it would be majorly helpful. Since we can't share links, there's not many options to discuss how to even start developing, other than PM.

[MarvBear]

we have an old member who has created similar software free of charge, and is already available on this board.

 

http://creditboards.com/forums/index.php?s...;hl=credit+cure

 

You can download the application from this thread.

[mrliberty]

Crazy! I searched for software here over the months and never came across this thread. Odd, I'll look it over Surprised no one else recommends it at all.

[MarvBear]

LOL I have a fantastic memory.

[mrliberty]

Downloaded it -- looks decent and a good way to track status, but it's not as "step by step" as I was hoping. I'm thinking more of a software that really isn't all about menus and searching for answers, but a "Question and Answer" type program for the newbies. Really basic, like "Step 1: Enter a derogatory entry on your credit reports" and then enter all the data. After all that is done, you can just step through each step you should do.

 

Also, I believe my answer to auto-generating letters based on random variations of each line works well, too. That way, people using the software won't all be sending the same letters around. If people add new variations to a particular sentence and share it, you could have literally 10,000 different variations of the same DV letter to pull up.

 

Still, I like this CreditCure and will weed through it more tonight.

[MarvBear]

wow. THAT was a quick download AND evaluation.

[mrliberty]

I work in the code business, not as a programmer but as a production manager. I can get through simple programs in 5 minutes or less

 

The software is clean, overall, and I appreciate all the work he did. If he's not around anymore, I wonder if he released any code to it, or if he's selling it somewhere out there. Will do some research (still at the office, ugh!) this week.

[MarvBear]

Since the inception of CreditBoards, we have been blessed with the contribution of many great members in a variety of ways.

 

Some of these people have come and gone, some have arrived here and are still active but post less frequently then before.

 

All of the contribution of our members are greatly appreciated, whether it is in the continuous posting of encouraging advice, or in the contributions of spreadsheets, or user friendly programs, or the making available of information not easily obtainable from any other source.

 

The one thing, all these members have had in common, was an interest in "paying it forward" without thought of personal aggrandizement. Our past members who have made available these items for our review, have done so freely of their own will, and have gone thru our many suggestions for changes. We as a community have always appreciated the free spirit in which these contributions have been made.

 

We have always recognized the effort each person spends in the development of a new tool, technique, or bit of information, and we hope that this community spirit of "paying it forward" shall continue to be the spark that makes CreditBoards a truly unique web experience for all who visit.

[azntg]

Mrliberty, any updates are great. Worse comes to worst, why don't you give it a shot with your own program?

 

i was always a fan of Open Source programs. Couldn't contribute much at all though, I have no programming knowledge nor do I have deep pockets (full time college student here)

[mrliberty]

Well, it seems like people ARE interested, so let's move forward a bit.

 

First of all, if it's OK with the admins here, I'd prefer to just discuss in this thread (or move it to another subforum at CB if necessary). I know the rules about linking to other sites, and the process of discussing ideas here might help people.

 

Secondly, I am not expecting a dime. Why would I? I hate the JDBs (and the OCs like CapitalOne), and would love to help others.

 

Thirdly, by Open Source I mean that I provide the source code so those who want to can compile it themselves, while others can download a ready-to-run version. Why? I don't trust software. For all we know, someone can make a great "Fix your credit" application that secretly transmits all your data to someone else. No thanks. Open code means we can at least watch for violations like that. It's the conspiracist in me.

 

 

How I'd begin

 

The first step for the software would be to build a database of SOL expiration terms for each State. I believe there are some websites that provide this information, so please provide links here so I can add that to the database. There should also be an easy way for expert computer users to pop-up a display of each State and SOL for each contract type, to verify that it is the latest. If expiration terms change, it should be easy to update. That's step one. This is not something the person running the software will have to actually deal with, but a programming-end need.

 

The second step would be the user interface. I think the best way to do it is a step-by-step question and answer system (sort of like Microsoft's standard Next > Next > Next > OK system). The first thing for the user to do is to verify that they've gotten their most receive reports, either paper reports or the annualcreditreport dot com report. We should warn the user that TrueCredit and MyFico don't give you the actual reports with DOFD. Once the user has the reports, they can move to step three.

 

Step three would be a simple question and answer system for them to enter each item on a CR: names, addresses, good TL, derogatory TLs, balances, credit limits, etc. This software should do more than help people write letters, it should also warn them about utilization, and maybe even incorporate a simple Fico simulator. I'd be willing to parse through submitted databases that people volunteered if others want to try to crack the code better Imagine playing with 1000 anonymous credit reports to see what really effects scores. I'm very well versed in mathematical evaluating software to find trends, so I bet with enough information, a more realistic credit score simulator IS possible -- and freely available.

 

Once all their credit reports are entered, I think the first step is an evaluation (again, step by step). Check all 3 reports to find differences, especially on derogatory items. Compare the last DOFD (meaning, the last time a 30-day late was made without getting current again) and compare it with SOL in the State submitted. WhyChat recommends being careful about credit repair on out-of-SOL debts if you have in-SOL debts, so maybe show a warning about it.

 

Then, the rest is fairly easy. The software would go through the process by itself, letting the user know what letter is needed, recommending CM or CMRRR (and letting the user enter the tracking numbers), aiding in how to file away all correspondence.

 

Heck, if we want to, we could even give expert credit repair people a great "Call Center" style system to use if a creditor calls. Imagine using our own software against THEM if we wanted to answer those calls in the future. "Read what the screens says, and don't vary. Click on their response to go to the next screen." Haha!

 

So as I said, the first step for me is to get a correct SOL list oaf every State. Once I have that in, I'll find a way to post a copy of the code and the program, or maybe get admin approval to post a link that would always have the latest code and program for people to beta test.

[nickelnm]

I thing is an absolutely fantiastic idea and wish I knew about programming.

[breeze]

I believe we have lots of open source folks here - Just ask in general discussion forum.

[pryan67]

One issue I see in having a letter builder like this would be the "flow" of the letters...how to test how the letters would look when you're dealing with that many?

[Fustrated]

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[flacorps]

If they're gonna use business rules engines (the CAs and JDBs), we're gonna use business rules engines.

 

I like it.

 

I do, however, see a few problems.

 

It would need to capture not just the states' SOLs but the nuances of what event starts them ticking, and what events or situations can toll, restart or even start them over. As well as give some advice about "phantom payment" scenarios and caveats about states where it can be difficult to get courts to take a correct view of the SOL (I'm told Kentucky jurists largely ignore the state's 5 year SOL on consumer debt).

 

And that leads me to my second point: Unauthorized Practice of Law ... this thing needs to be loaded with disclaimers because the state bars in certain states are nuts on the subject. Texas once went after one of the big box office supply chains because they were selling a CD-ROM software product called "corporate secretary" that just performed a few very simple merge functions to make corporate minutes for various routine events in the life of a corporation. If the software became at all popular, whether it was running on the web or elsewhere, it would almost certainly draw fire from someone, somewhere who was getting their brains beaten out by it. Or some self-appointed guardian of the nation's creditors.

 

Further, it's going to need to know the choice-of-law provision of every agreement, if possible. Choice-of-law can be argued by creditors to extend SOL (which I believe would be improper under any possible situation), and I believe if there is a choice-of-law provision in the agreement it gives the debtor the option to choose the shortest one in court in all cases--unless it's worded just right, and I think 99% of them wouldn't be.

 

The software can approach what a good attorney would be able to do, it'll never substitute for a great one. But most people can't get any attorney to help them (affordably), can they.

 

I say go for it.

[jimmyj]

Count me in

[mrliberty]

If they're gonna use business rules engines (the CAs and JDBs), we're gonna use business rules engines.

 

I like it.

 

Exactly. I've always wanted to write a consumer rules engine app on the Internet (free ad-based website maybe?) that lets people respond to ALL phone calls in a professional, and hysterical fashion. Never got around to it, though, seemed kinda useless.

 

 

It would need to capture not just the states' SOLs but the nuances of what event starts them ticking, and what events or situations can toll, restart or even start them over. As well as give some advice about "phantom payment" scenarios and caveats about states where it can be difficult to get courts to take a correct view of the SOL (I'm told Kentucky jurists largely ignore the state's 5 year SOL on consumer debt).

 

The best bet in this case is to just ignore those States until everything else works properly. There's little need to cover everyone immediately, especially hard to process States. Yet I think it is THOSE difficult areas that are the most important to cover in the end.

 

 

 

And that leads me to my second point: Unauthorized Practice of Law ... this thing needs to be loaded with disclaimers because the state bars in certain states are nuts on the subject. Texas once went after one of the big box office supply chains because they were selling a CD-ROM software product called "corporate secretary" that just performed a few very simple merge functions to make corporate minutes for various routine events in the life of a corporation. If the software became at all popular, whether it was running on the web or elsewhere, it would almost certainly draw fire from someone, somewhere who was getting their brains beaten out by it. Or some self-appointed guardian of the nation's creditors.

 

I'm not putting my name on it. It'll be shared either via a password-protect RapidShare-like site, or attached another way. My name on this site is only used by me here, so there's no connection between this name and my real person (although there are a LOT of other people out there using this name, oops for them!). That means I have zero liability.

 

The software will, of course, have a very simple disclaimer, not 500 pages of boilerplate. "This software might crash your computer. DO YOU UNDERSTAND YOU'R RESPONSIBLE?" Yes/No "This software might get you sued. Laws change, and are interpreted differently by different people and judges. Do you understand?" Yes/No "We're not lawyers, so trust this only as far as the information publicly available is correct." etc, etc.

 

 

Further, it's going to need to know the choice-of-law provision of every agreement, if possible. Choice-of-law can be argued by creditors to extend SOL (which I believe would be improper under any possible situation), and I believe if there is a choice-of-law provision in the agreement it gives the debtor the option to choose the shortest one in court in all cases--unless it's worded just right, and I think 99% of them wouldn't be.

 

Gotcha.

 

 

The software can approach what a good attorney would be able to do, it'll never substitute for a great one. But most people can't get any attorney to help them (affordably), can they.

 

I agree; but this forum answers literally the same 5 questions ten times a day, and it is THOSE cases that are important. Heck, for the complex cases, maybe just forwarding them to 5 different credit forums would be the wisest choice.

[TheNewestGuy]

Truthfully, unless you're importing actual credit reports (which are not readily available in a parsable format), you're basically asking people to dissect their own reports in a way very similar to what PsychDoc lies out in his chats.

 

Other than that, what might it contain? Sample letters? FDCPA laws? If it's a standalone app, you're going to have to install a SQL db on the machine. 1. This works for Windows and 2. It's not very secure to have that on your machine unless you are really using it.

 

And if it's a web app, it's going to have security issues, especially if you're using php & mysql.

[TheNewestGuy]

After reading it looks like it's a web app you're going for.

 

I mention all this stuff because I've proposed such a thing in the past, and the fact is you'd get the exact same info by reading the whychat letters.

 

The *only* way this would be more valuable is if you could import your report. So far I haven't found a simple way to do that.

[mrliberty]

Definitely NOT a webapp, because of security concerns. I'm thinking of a simple Java app, or even a Flash-based app that can be run locally on multiple platforms. We don't need SQL, in fact a simple flat-form text file "database" would work just fine, as well as a number of simple database routines included in some programming languages and pseudo-languages.

 

In terms of parsing through one's CR, that isn't that hard to do if you have the paper file or even the annualcreditreport dot com "print" version. They're very consistent in layout, so entering data from the CR into the software should not be too laborious or time-consuming.

 

Yes, PsychDoc's process is probably the best, but it is very intimidating. My software idea is to help people get started, and point them in the proper direction. It also would help create shortcuts to writing letters that aren't boilerplate sounding, which can aid in getting deletions or at least knocking derogs out. In my experience, the boilerplate letters online are helpful, but submitting them exactly as they're written is usually a way to go nowhere fast.